BA (Hons) Development and Peace Studies
| UCAS codes: | L920 BA/DPS |
| Start Date | September |
| End Date | May |
| Overview | What is the relationship between poverty, inequality and violent conflict? How can shattered societies be rebuilt after conflict? Where do ideas such as sustainability, gender and human rights fit into development practice? Can some sorts of development assistance actually harm rather than help? What are the main challenges of development in the 21st century? What skills do I need to work in international development for organisations such as the United Nations, Oxfam, Save the Children or community-based organisations? How can I make a positive difference? These are some of the questions that concern Development and Peace Studies, a distinct interdisciplinary field of study with very practical applications. Development and Peace Studies focuses on understanding and promoting positive changes in the economies, societies and politics of countries affected by poverty, exclusion, inequality and underdevelopment. These countries are also where many of today's conflicts occur, so an increasing number of development practitioners are turning to peace studies and conflict resolution to seek more effective interventions. If you are hardworking and passionate about overseas development, a degree in Development and Peace Studies will give you a great start to your career, providing you with the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful development practitioner. The BA (Hons) in Development and Peace Studies enables students to develop:
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| Entrance Requirements | Standard offer is 280 points plus For details of the UCAS points system, please see http://www.ucas.com/candq/tariff/ |
| Course Duration | 3 years full-time |
| Places Available | 65 |
| Tuition Fees |
Course Details
Syllabus
The Development and Peace Studies syllabus is strongly informed by the research our staff undertake - teaching staff have a wide experience of working directly with international organisations such as the United Nations, Oxfam, donor agencies such as DFID, SIDA, BMZ/GTZ as well as locally-based advocacy groups in the developing world. Our courses are extremely flexible with all degrees (including Development and Peace Studies) sharing a common first year.
Our courses are extremely flexible with all degrees (including Politics) sharing a common first year:
Year 1 modules
- Introduction to Politics,
- Introduction to International Relations,
- Conflict and Cooperation,
- Introduction to Peace Studies,
- Sociology of Peace and Conflict and
- Introduction to Development
The common first year allows you to progress to a BA (Hons) in Stages Two in any of our undergraduate awards (except the BA War, Peace and Media Studies): BA International Conflict Analysis and Resolution; BA Peace Studies; BA Politics; and BA International Relations and Security Studies.
Year 2 Modules
- EITHER Understanding Violence
- OR Conflict Analysis (Level 2)
- PLUS
- Development Ideas in Practice (Level 2)
- Permaculture Design Course (Level 2)
- Plus 60 credits of options
Year 3 Core Modules
- Culture in Conflict Resolution (Level 3)
- Peace, Conflict and Development (Level 3)
- Dissertation
- Plus 20 credits of options
Examples of Optional Modules
- International Relations: Theories and Applications (Level 2)
- Global Governance (Level 2)
- Concepts and Practices of Peacemaking (Level 2)
- War, Democracy and Consensus: Britain 1914 to the present (Level 2)
- Political Philosophy (Level 2)
- Sustainability in Practice (Level 2)
- International Terrorism (Level 3)
- Human Rights (Level 3)
- Participation and Politics (Level 3)
- Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (Level 3)
- Regional Security (Level 3)
- US Power and International Security (Level 2 or 3)
- International Politics of the Cold War (Level 2 or 3)
- Arms Control and Disarmament (Level 2 or 3)
- International Politics of the Environment (Level 2 or 3)
- The Politics of Narcotics (Level 2 or 3)
Structure
The BA programme follows the university structure of 120 credits for each Stage, with 60 taken in each semester. All students may take up to 40 credits, over Stages Two and Three, from units offered by all Schools across the University.
In Stage Two, all students take 60 credits as compulsory course unit and 60 as options. In Stage Three, all students take the dissertation (60 credits) which must be in the area of specialisation, plus 40 credits of compulsory course units. The remaining 20 credits are taken as options. All units are available as options to all students.
Aim
The BA (Hons) in Development and Peace Studies enables students to develop:
- an understanding of the theories and concepts of peace and conflict and their application to global, regional and local contexts;
- an understanding of the nature and significance of development issues in the global south/developing world;
- an understanding of the competing perspectives on issues of peace, conflict and development in the global south/developing world;
- an ability to evaluate the international policy debates in the fields of peace, conflict and development;
Learning Outcome
The BA (Hons) in Development and Peace Studies aims to:
- develop your knowledge and understanding of a coherent, current and intellectually stimulating body of theory and analysis;
- enable you to develop an independent, critical and scholarly approach to your field which will enable you to apply your knowledge and develop your understanding;
- encourage you to relate academic study to questions of public concern in the peace and conflict field;
- provide you with a curriculum supported by active scholarship, staff development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth of intellectual enquiry and debate;
- help you to develop a valuable range of key skills and personal attributes for a wide variety of careers;
- provide you with a friendly and supportive learning environment.
When you have completed the BA in Development and Peace Studies you will have acquired:
Discipline Skills
- an independent and critical ability to gather, organise and analyse relevant primary and secondary evidence or data so as to present coherent and clearly reasoned arguments which address specific problems;
- an ability to evaluate and engage effectively in key debates in the field
Personal Transferable Skills
- an ability to communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing, use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information, work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management and collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
Teaching Strategy
The teaching strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through the levels of study, the nature of the subject and the student intake, and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the course.
Lectures, small group work, simulations, training exercises, seminars and directed study are used to further your understanding of the subject matter, your own skill development and reflective abilities.
Assessment Strategy
Throughout the course, you will acquire skills that will be useful not only in Peace Studies, but in whatever profession you choose to follow. These will be taught, practised and assessed. Essay writing, group presentations, exams, projects, portfolios and reports are used as assessment methods in different modules. In your final year you will write a 12,000 - 15,000 word dissertation.
How to Apply
The traditional route for entry onto the degree course is with A-levels, but applications are also welcomed from candidates with qualifications equivalent to or superior to A-levels. In any case, each candidate is considered on his/her merits and we offer all candidates the opportunity to visit Peace Studies, see the campus, and meet staff and students. Overall, students without A-levels account for one third of our intake each year.
The standard admission offer is 280 points overall to include a minimum of two full A-levels. The remaining points can be gained from any combination (and number) of tariff-based qualifications, including Key Skills and General Studies. A-levels in a social science or modern history might help to prepare you for the degree, but Peace Studies does not stipulate any particular subjects. Peace Studies offers an interview to any students who don’t meet our standard requirements, and can therefore be more flexible about entry qualifications. Peace Studies welcomes applications from students who have completed a BTEC National qualifications, or Scottish Framework Qualifications (280 points), or Irish Highers (A, B, B, B, B), or overseas examinations which show an equivalent level of attainment, (please enquire). Mature students, particularly those with Access courses are encouraged; those with experience and motivation should contact the Admissions Tutor for details of how prior learning and experience may be used during the admissions process.
The University requires all applicants to hold an English language qualification such as GCSE English Language grade C or above or an equivalent.
Apply From
OctoberApply Until
UCAS first deadline, usually 15 January. However, applications after this date will still be considered.Support and Study
The following resource will be provided for students
- Course Handbook (Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3)
- Email and internet connectivity
- Blackboard
- Lecture hand-outs
- Library resources
Students are expected to provide the following
Not applicable
Contact Hours
Approximately 280 hours lectures/seminars per year plus 12 hours tutorials per year, and the option of extra curricular activities organised within Peace Studies.
Contact Pattern
There are traditionally four pillars to your contact with academic staff at Peace Studies: (1) lectures, (2) seminars and group work, (3) tutorials, and (4) consultations with academic staff in their office hours. Usually, there will be three hours of lectures/seminars each week for each 20-credit course unit. Seminars and group work give you the opportunity to explore and apply knowledge and concepts gained from lectures and your own study.
In the first year, you will meet with your personal tutor, once a week in a small group for one hour throughout the 1st Semester and once a fortnight through the 2nd Semester. Year 1 tutorials provide you with information, training and guidance on all aspects of academic work including essay writing, research and referencing. Tutorials are also a place to ask questions about the content of course units and study techniques. The overall objective is to support you.
In Year 2, you will attend tutorials each week in semester 1 until week 6 - at this point you will decide with your tutor and tutor group how you want to continue to meet through the year (as a group, individually). In your third year, your personal tutor is your dissertation supervisor. You are recommended to see him/her at least once a fortnight to discuss your dissertation. However, your supervisor is also there to help you in discussing your plans for other coursework and revision, in reviewing your progress, which should be recorded on your Personal Development Profile and in discussing career options.
In addition, academic staff have times when they are available to students for consultation during term time.
Finally, we provide other types of contact which are voluntary, in the form of extra-curricular activities. These sessions offer great opportunities for you to have fun, and get experience, skills and knowledge that support and further your learning in the formal curriculum.
Study Hours
Six 20 credit modules per year x 200 hours, spread across two semesters. Each module is usually split with approximately 30 hours of contact time (lectures and seminars) and 170 hours per module of directed study time.
Special Features
- Peace Studies at Bradford is amongst the best in the country in terms of teaching quality, with experienced professionals and modern, well-equipped facilities.
- The Guardian University Guide 2009 ranked it in the top 20 for Politics in the country
- Peace Studies at Bradford has a strong international reputation and is at the forefront of research and debate in both academic and policy arenas. Many of the staff have a global profile, and undertake regular media interviews, as well as advising governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations around the world on their area of expertise
- Our courses are extremely flexible with the five Peace Studies degrees and the Politics degree sharing a common first year, at the end of which you choose your area of specialisation.
- With an intake of around 80 undergraduate students per year, you can be sure of a close-knit group and an atmosphere conducive to serious but enjoyable study. The Department gives academic and pastoral support to all students via a personal tutor and small tutor groups, something now rare in large politics or international relations departments. Our very own Student Liaison Officer organises lots of social events, seminars, debates, study tours and training events
Within this undergraduate programme, we have two available options for students to either study abroad or to gain experience on a placement:
The Diploma of Professional Experience
The Diploma of Professional Experience is designed to
- provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge, understanding and skills gained on your course in a professional setting;
- to help you develop autonomy and initiative, and work effectively as a member of a professional team;
- to help you gain experience of the working environment and assess career opportunities available on graduation; and
- to encourage critical reflection on your personal and skills development.
Placement opportunities are identified by the student, with support from the University and agreed by the Programme Director. The duration must be between 38 and 52 weeks. Your placement work is directed by the supervisor appointed by the provider, but you will be appointed an academic tutor who will remain in contact to check that integration into the workplace is proceeding and that the work being required of you is appropriate and at a later stage to assist and advise both you and your employer as to the requirements of the assessment process.
The Diploma of International Studies
We also encourage students to consider an optional year of study abroad, taken between stage 1 and 2 or stage 2 and 3 of your degree at Bradford. You will be invited to various University events providing more information and will be formally introduced to opportunities in stage 1 in your 1st year Tutorial sessions. You may take advantage of Study Abroad opportunities in three ways: through studying at one of our partner institutions; through studying at a University that does not have formal links with Bradford; or through developing your own combination of work/study. Whichever choice you make, you should plan to be abroad for 1 academic year.
This optional Diploma of International Studies aims to enable you to:
- benefit from studying and living abroad
- develop intercultural awareness and competence through reflection on the experience;
- enhance your personal development allowing you the scope to transfer the skills acquired to both academic work and future vocational work;
- widen your knowledge and understanding, and embrace different academic approaches in one or more of your degree subject areas by studying appropriate modules;
- where appropriate, enhance your language skills and develop strategies for more effective language learning.
The Division of Peace Studies has formal links with universities in Europe and North America as listed below, as well as several exchange agreements that are currently being negotiated. Through the European Union Erasmus Scheme you can choose to study at partner institutions which offer classes in English and the local language as well as language classes.
Current Exchange Agreements:
Erasmus
- Institut d’Etudes Politique de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Ludvig-Maximillians Universitaet Munchen,
- Munich, Germany
- Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Metropolitan University Prague, Czech Republic
Worldwide
- California State University, USA (22 campuses in total)
- Clarkson University, Podstam, New York, USA
- Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
- Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
- Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania, USA
- ISEP – any relevant ISEP Institution